Coupling for relatively movable members



R. F. PEO

COUPLING FOR RELATIVELY MOVABLE MEMBERS Filed May 7. 1931 Get. 11, 1932.

Patented Oct. 11, 1932 U TED STATES PATENT, I E v nALrHr. rEo, F BUFFALO, NEW Yonx, AssIGNoR T0 HoUDE nn'einnname'oon ronnzrzon, on BUFFALO, NEW yon-K, A oonronn'rroiv on NEW YORK;

oouriiiive non RELATIVELY MOVABLE MEMBERS Application filed Maj 7,

This invention relates generally to a coupling which is adapted to be used for connecting two relatively movable members and more particularly to such a' coupling which is known as a drag link for use between the axle of an automobile and the operating arm or lever of a shock absorber which is mounted on the frame of the automobile for the purpose of absorbing the shock between this axle and frame during the operation of the car.

It is the object of this invention to provide a coupling for such shock absorbers or. for use in similarinstallations where two parts move relatively to each other, which coupling is of simple and inexpensive construction, efficient in operation, not liable to get out of order, and presents a neat and finished appearance. 1

In the accompanying drawing:

1 Figure 1 isa side elevation, partly in section, of an approved form'o-f coupling em bodying my"improvements. 1

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same taken on line 22 Fig.1. a?

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same.

V Figure 4 is a bottom plan view thereof. 7

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 Fig. 1. y

Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary front elevations of the upper and lower parts of this coupling. 1

Similar. characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the draw ing.

example the frame thereof, and a bolt 11 which is mounted on an axle of the automobile, whlch axle and frame move toward and from each other while the car is running over uneven roadway.

For the present purposes the ope-rating lever 10 and the bolt 11 will be regarded as the shank of an. attaching member or hook, each of which is provided with aforwardly ex Although this coupling may be used in va- 1931. Serial 1105535579.

sides of the beak and the two'ears ofeach hook provide a three-point bearing surface.

of the beak and ears of each hook is preferably of spherical form, as shown at 14 1-111 Figs. 1 and 2, for a purpose which willfpress entlyappear.

When the two hooks of the shanks 10 and 11. are installed on the relatively movable j parts of, an automobile or elsewhere, these hooks are so turned that the backs of the same are opposed to'each other, while the mouths of the same open outwardly or away from each other, asbes't shown in Fig. 1. These twohooks are operatively connected with each other by means of a tie which is provided at its opposite ends with eyes which are engaged respectively with the beaks of the hooks by inserting the sa-mewinto the mouths thereof. l 1 w In thepreferred-construction of this he thefsame has the form of an elongated loop or link so as to provide two longitudinal connecting rods 15 and two-turns 16 which connect opposite correspondingyends of the rods and practically form coupling eyes with said rods at the extremities thereof. These eyes are engaged respectively with the beaks of the two hook members, suffici'entiplay being provided between each of these hooks V- and therespective eye both transversely and lengthwise of the respective hook so as to permit each eye to swing both lengthwise and laterallyrelatively to the respective hook and thus practically form av universal joint 60 i This three-pointbearing surface on the'ba'ck one continuous or unbroken piece, thereby forming a connection between the two hook 'members which is very strong and durable 7 so as to properly take care of any strains which may be imposed upon the same and yet is very light so that thesame is compact and capable ofbeing produced at low cost.

In order to maintainv the eyes of the tie member reliably in engagement withthe cou- "lin hooks and )revent disenga ement it; o t) thereof, and avoid rattling between the same while the device is in use, spring means are provided which operate to 'con stantlypress" the coupling hooks outwardly relatively to 3} the eyes of the tie so that the bight of the hooks remains constantly in engagement with the inner sides of the eyes on the tie.

7 side each of these washers is provided with aconcave bearing surface 19 which engages i with the convex bearing surface 14: on' the back of the respective hook. By this means a spherical or ball and socket joint is formed between each washer and the respective hook of the coupling which permits this washer to a turn or slide in all directions on the back side of the hook in adapting itself to the changing position of the tie while the latter swings 'on this hook, therebyLforming a universal connection between these parts which avoids any cramping'or noisy action While the device is in use. I a -Thesetwo washers are yieldingly held in engagement with the two hooks by means of v a helical spring 20 which surrounds the two rods 15, 15 of the'tie and bears at its opposite ends against the opposing inner sides of the washers, as shown'in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to maintain the washers in a central position with reference to the spring 20 each of these the 'tie and avoid any wear or'squeaking 110188.

I In order toenclose the spring and the ad- 'j acent parts of the tie and washers and thereby exclude dirt and dust therefrom and also "finishing the coupling as a whole so that the same presents'a neat appearance, a coverlng for the springand assoclated parts is provided which preferably is made in the form of atube or tubular boot 22'which sur- 7 rounds the spring and the central part of a compressed the tie and has its opposite ends fitted around the washers 17 outwardly beyond the rabbets 21 of the latter. 1 r if This covering may be constructed of any suitable (preferably) flexible material such as rubber, leather or a woven fabric which has the necessary resilience to permit the two coupling hooks to shift their-positionrelatively to each other and still form an en: closure for the springand the intermediate "parts of the tie and washers which is of simple construction and not liable to. wear rapidlywhile in use. 1 a

V The fit between the opposite ends of the tubular covering 22 and the periphery of the washers is very snug so as to exclude dirt,

dust and rain, which lit is preferablyeifected by'making the internal diameter of the tubular covering somewhat smaller than the eX- ternal diameter of the washers'and thereby necessitate slightly stretching or springing the ends of the covering over the washers in order to connect these parts, thereby main} taining the same in the proper relation with? out any extra fittings, as well as presenting a neat and finished appearance of the device as a whole when completelyfassembled.

By providing the triangular bearing sur-. face between the backs of the hooks and the washers ample sidewise as well as an angular longitudinal deflection is permitted between these parts without anytendency to disassemble and at the same time provide aproper support fo'rthe s pring which is interposed in I condition between these washers for holding the-latter firmly in engagement with thecouplinghooksl' In practice the. hooks maybe tinned very heavily thereby providing a'metallic lubricant which will'be noiseless under operating conditions for a long time. Y I I 5 Inasmuch asthe washers'and the hooks which are attached'to the axle and body of the automobile may be cast to size and shape without requiring any expensive'finishing, the cost of manufacturing this coupling as a whole is very low, and as none of the parts are of a delicate character the same is not o liable to get out of order while in use, r washers ls provided on lts inner s1de a'd a- I I claimsas my invention g v v 1. A coupling for connecting relatively movable members comprising hooks each having a shank, a beak projecting forwardly from the shank and two ears projecting later ally from the shank at the base of said beak, said hooks having their backs arranged on the inner sides. thereof and opposing each other and having their mouths opening outwardly, and the-back side of the bealeand ears of each hook forming a three point bearing; a tie provided at its opposite ends with eyes engagingwith' said hooks, respectively washers mounted on said tie and each engaging with the three bearing points on the ack side of one of said hooks; and spring f1 eans interposed between said washers.

2. A coupling for connecting relatively Jl ovable members comprising hooks each hav- .'ng a shank, a beak projecting forwardly from the shank and two ears projecting laterally from the shank at the base of said beak, aid hooks having their backs arranged on he inner sides thereof and opposing each ther and having their mouths opening out ardly, and the back side of the beak and ears of each hook forming a spherical convex caring surface; washers having concave earing surfaces engaging'the convex surfaces of said hooks, a tie connecting said I ooks; and spring means interposed between aid washers. 3. A coupling for connecting relatively movable members comprising hooks each having a shank, a beak projecting forwardly erally from the shank at the base of said beak, said hooks having their backs arranged on other and having their mouths opening out- I wardly, and the back side of the beak and ears of each hook forming a spherical three point convex bearing surface on theback side of the beak and cheeks of each hook; a tie having eyes at its opposite end engaging with the beaks of said hooks; and spring-means interposed between said washers. 4. A coupling for connecting relatively movable members comprising hooks adaptj ed to be mounted on said members, respectively, and having their mouths opening away from each other and their backs opposing each other; a tie having the form of an elongated loop providing eyes at its opposite ends which engage with said hooks, washers engaging the backs of said hooks;

. washers.

5. A coupling for connecting relatively I movable members comprising hooks adapt- 1 ed to be mounted on said members, respectively, and having their backs opposing each surrounding said tie and bearing against the backs of said hooks, respectively; a spring surrounding the tie and engaging its opposite ends with said washers; and a flexible tubular covering surrounding said tie said washers, respectively.

- movable members comprising hooks adapted ly, and having their backs opposing each other; a. tie connecting said hooks; washers surrounding said tie and bearing against the backs of said hooks, respectively; a spring surrounding the tie and engaging its opposite ends with said washers; and a flexible tubular covering surrounding said tie from the shank and two ears projecting latthe inner sides thereof and opposing each and spring means interposed between said other; a tie connecting said hooks; washers and spring and fitting at its opposite ends to 6. A coupling for connecting relatively to be mounted on said members, respectivemembers and the ends of said tie links, the 75 j V a opposed sides of said members being formed toprovide' convex bearing surfaces, Washers having concave faces for engaging said convex surfaces, and a compression spring interposed between'said washers for exerting pressure against said members to maintain the interhooking connection between said members and tie link. j r

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

' {RALPH F. PEO. 

